PA School Districts May be Required to Post “In God We Trust” in Every School Building

A bill requiring the motto in Pa. schools cleared a House panel.

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania public school districts would be required to post “In God We Trust” in every school building under legislation that advanced out of a committee in the state House this week.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Rick Saccone (R., Allegheny), passed the House Education Committee in a 14-9 vote Wednesday, with only one Democrat voting for it and one Republican voting against.

The National Motto Display Act, as it is titled, credits James Pollock, a 19th-century Pennsylvania governor, with putting the term on coins while serving as director of the U.S. Mint. The measure would require schools to post it by using a mounted plaque, student artwork, or some other form.

Saccone said the motto would fit well with the state’s local history curriculum. He said his constituents supported the measure.

“It’s 500-1 back home, people are for it,” he said Thursday, adding that he believed it also would pass the legislature overwhelmingly.

“This isn’t about evangelizing,” Saccone said. “This is about celebrating our national motto.”

“In God We Trust” became the national motto under a 1956 law signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Janice Rael, vice president of the Delaware Valley chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the proposal promoted religion over the absence of religion.

“The last time I checked, God was religious,” Rael said. “The government should be neutral, and with this legislation, the government is not neutral – the government is taking a position.”